Mark Arneil (Assistant)

Gareth Evans (Assistant)

Martin Braisby (Match Reports)

U12s - Match Report

Rovers V Grappenhall White

(Mark Arneil 03/10/2017)

3 Congleton Rovers JFC U12s0 Grappenhall Sports FC U12s WHITE

(Match Date: Sunday 1st October 2017)

Rovers 'v' Grappenhall White - 1st October 2017(Mark Arneil 03/10/2017)With the noticeable absence on the sideline of Riley and Arneil, compared by many as the modern day Shankley and Paisley or Clough and Taylor. Today's team was in the hands of Evans, Negus and Sharpe.
Confidence was high after last week's opening league game win and that confidence was evident from the 1st minute, with good crisp passing and domination in every area on what was a boggy pitch.
Rovers continued to attack with some great runs down the wings from Wedgebury on the left and Negus down the right each time looking for a lively Reardon or Riley in the middle but some good last ditch Grappenhall defending prevented Rovers from taking an early lead.
Grappenhall showed some nice movement up top but the 3 Rovers defenders of Hopkins, Johnston and Arneil frustrated Grappenhall and restricted them to long range efforts on the Rovers goal which were comfortably collected by Sharpe in goal.
More Rovers pressure followed and eventually in the 15th minute the deadlock was broken. Clever work down the left by Wedgbury resulted in a cut back from the touchline to find Riley, who confidently converted the chance.
Rovers were now well on top, with the central midfielders spreading balls all over the pitch and you knew Rovers weren't finished scoring. A loose ball from a corner found its way to Evans 25 yards out who unleashed an unstoppable shot past the Grappenhall keeper. 2 quickly became 3 when Negus broke away down the right driving in to the penalty area. With 2 rovers players screaming for a cut back, Negus tried to pull the ball back but somehow found the corner of the net. A little fortunate but well deserved.
Moments later, Negus on the right was causing more trouble for the defence and this time a sweet strike rattled the post.
Rovers thought they had made it 4 when a rare Hopkins strike found the back of the net from distance but the ref ruled it out for an infringement on the keeper.
Half time 3-0.

The 2nd half started pretty much like the 1st with continuous Rovers pressure even with the changes in personnel that were made. Edwards who was now on the right wing was looking lively and his quick feet were giving the defenders a real nightmare and Moreno down the left with his South American flare was a joy to watch.
Braisby and Walton came on at the back and were solid as always. Walton was probably the smallest player on the pitch but won header after header. You always know what you're going to get with Braisby - strong tackles, no nonsense defending when it needs it and today was no exception.
As the 2nd half went on the game became a bit scrappy resulting in Grappenhall having their first real sight at goal. Their striker beat the offside trap and was through 1 on 1 with Sharpe who despite having had little to do was quickly off his line to narrow the angle and shot went wide.

A few half chances came Rovers way through Riley, Evans and Reardon. But the legs were becoming heavy after a lot of effort from everyone and they dropped it down a couple of gears and saw the game out with some impressive keep ball.
Full time 3-0. Could and probably should have been more but a very patient and professional performance and never got frustrated.